A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE SIXTY-FOURTH ANNUAL BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL, TO BE HELD FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019, THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2019, TO ENCOURAGE ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO ATTEND AND ENJOY THIS FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT, AND TO WISH ITS ORGANIZERS EVERY SUCCESS.

Whereas, Beaufort is South Carolina's second oldest city, located on our beautiful coast between Charleston and Savannah, Georgia; and

Whereas, through the past sixty-four years, the Beaufort Water Festival has become an important part of the city's unique culture and heritage. The family-oriented, totally volunteer-run event showcases the city's character and close connection with the water; and

Whereas, the festival's origins date back to the 1930s, when sailboat racing on the Beaufort River became popular. Members of the community later decided to create an event that would celebrate Beaufort's renowned Southern hospitality and culturally diverse island lifestyle; and

Whereas, as a result, the first official Beaufort Water Festival was established in 1956, and the event has grown to attract more than one hundred thousand visitors annually to downtown Beaufort and the surrounding areas; and

Whereas, this year's edition of the festival, July 12-21, 2019, bears the theme of "For the Community, by the Community" and includes golf and fishing tournaments; an arts and crafts market; live entertainment in Waterfront Park, featuring music from varied genres; and family entertainment, including Children's Day, Talent Night, the Lowcountry Supper, and the ever-popular Parris Island Marine Band and Parade of Boats; and

Whereas, leading the festival fleet are Commodore Brian Patrick, with the support of his 2019 festival consultant, Paul Howe, as well as Brian's coordinators, Erin "Tank" Morris, Shawna Doran, Dusty Vickers, James Nutt, Todd Stowe, Josh Schott, Cori Talbert, Robert Averill, Donna Smith, and Tony Serrato. Their outstanding leadership of the hundreds of volunteers working under their command keeps everything about the festival flowing in shipshape fashion; and

Whereas, after bills are paid, most of the money the Beaufort Water Festival brings in goes back into the community in the form of donations to various worthy organizations; and

Whereas, the community's continuous dedication to providing visitors and residents quality entertainment has made the event one of the most popular volunteer festivals on the Southeastern coast. The House of Representatives commends the people of Beaufort for bringing the Beaufort Water Festival to the Palmetto State and encourages all South Carolinians to patronize and enjoy its offerings. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the sixty-fourth annual Beaufort Water Festival, to be held Friday, July 12, 2019, through Sunday, July 21, 2019, encourage all South Carolinians to attend and enjoy this family-friendly event, and wish its organizers every success.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Commodore Brian Patrick for the Beaufort Water Festival.